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Flashback to 2013 as Nicole Frevold boarded the plane to Israel for the 19th Maccabiah Games. Having never been to Israel before, she recalls not knowing what to expect – in terms of both the competition and the overall experience of the three weeks abroad. She was recruited for the Badminton team by fellow teammate and friend, Sam Schwartz.

Three years later, Nicole credits the Maccabiah Games as one of the most incredible experiences of her life. When asked about the first thing that comes to mind when someone mentions Maccabi USA, she instantly speaks of the Opening Ceremony, “It was amazing to look around the stadium and see thousands of people in the stands who were there for you, cheering you on; marching in with Team USA as well as the other delegations was a moment I will never forget.”

In addition to the Opening Ceremony, the competition made a significant impact on Nicole as an athlete. As an extremely competitive person, the tournaments were equally as important as experiencing Israel. Nicole won gold in Juniors Girls’ Singles and silver in Juniors Girls’ Doubles.

The Maccabiah Games allowed her to develop a deeper connection to Judaism and her Jewish community. In her opinion, the Maccabiah Games are the best scenario, “You get to travel to a different country, play in competitions in a sport you love, tour and sightsee historic sites and take in the culture of Israel.”

Currently, Nicole is a freshman at the University of New Hampshire and is hoping to compete again in the Open Division of Badminton for the 20th Maccabiah Games in the summer of 2017.

Maccabi USA is currently seeking qualified Jewish Badminton players to represent Team USA at the 20th World Maccabiah Games for Juniors Girls’ & Boys’ birth years 1999-2002 and Open Men & Women ages 18-35. To apply, click HERE, application deadline is October 31, 2016! For more information please contact Kim Mertens, Overall Badminton Chairman at kmertens2017@gmail.com.

 

Previously:

Dan Kurtz: Maccabi USA’s Alumni Relations Director

Emily Seelenfreund: A Maccabiah Trailblazer

Ellie Greenberg: In Her Own Words

From Maccabi Canada to Maccabi USA: Ice Hockey with Greg Gardner

From Running in to Coaching at the Maccabiah with Jordan Schilit

Building Maccabi USA’s Lacrosse Program with Eve Levinson

Maccabi USA Baseball with Eric Holtz

From the Maccabiah to Maccabi Young Leadership

Maccabi USA Cricket led my Former Israeli National Team Cricketer

Judo: A Family Affair with Adam Moyerman

Tennis in Santiago with Natasha Dabrowski

Maccabi USA Golf with Dan Frankel

Swimming for a Purpose with Sarah Solomon

Maccabi USA Field Hockey with Rebekah Abrams

Breaking the International Maccabi Games Golf Scoring Record at the European Maccabi Games

Ori Hoffer on Preparing for his First Maccabi USA Experience

Half Marathon with Melissa Perlman

Women’s Soccer with Catie Chase

Coaching at the EMG with Scott Garson

Maccabi USA Soccer with Morry Steinbach

Prepping for the European Maccabi Games with Zak Elfenbein

Maccabi Memories with Caroline Post

Maccabi Memories with Dallen Stanford

Maccabi Memories with Matthew Halpern

Maccabi Memories with Charly Santagado

Maccabi Memories with Matthew Monheit

Maccabi Memories with Lenny Krayzelburg

Maccabi Memories with Rachel Magerman

Maccabi Memories with Noah Springwater

Maccabi Memories with Stuart Weitzman

 

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